Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE GOVERNMENT will not be opposing the Fianna Fáil Bill aimed at tackling hate crime.
The Dáil will this evening debate the Bill which seeks to ensure that the option is open to the gardai and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to pursue a hate crime conviction.
The Criminal Justice (Aggravation by Prejudice) Bill 2016 aims to make offences committed with prejudice relating to the race, colour or ethnic origin, a disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity to be illegal.
Speaking in the Dáil this evening, Tanaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said while she had some difficulty with the “vagueness of certain terms in the Bill” she would not be opposing it.
Hate crime legislation is already in existence in Northern Ireland, England and Wales.
“This Bill essentially seeks to tackle hate crimes in an effective and robust manner. Under this Bill, if someone is convicted of an offence that is aggravated by prejudice or hatred, then this must be taken into account when sentencing,” said Kildare South TD Fiona O’Loughlin.
‘Out of step’
“Ireland is out of step in not having specific hate crime laws. I firmly believe that such legislation is needed and that there is an onus on us to make it clear that such hatred will not be tolerated in our society,” she added.
Victims continue to pay for these crimes due to inadequate legislation, O’Loughlin told the Dáil this evening.
“They are forced to accept their identity was targeted,” she said.
Cork-South West TD Margaret Murphy O’Mahony said the Bill will bring Ireland’s legislation up to date and not only make hate crime based on disability an offence, but will also improve the reporting and recording of hate crime, which she said is generally under reported.
The deputies said they are happy to discuss amendments should the Bill make it to Committee stage.
A number of TDs such as Sinn Fein’s Jonathan O’Brien and AAA-PBP Brid Smith opposed the Bill from proceeding. The Bill does not mention the Travelling community, which is one of the reasons stated for opposing it.
Forced marriages
Today, the Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald got Cabinet approval to make forced marriage a crime.
TheJournal.ie understands Fitzgerald sought approval today to include the new measure in the draft of the Domestic Violence Bill.
Currently, forced marriages are not currently crimes. Under this new measure it will now be a criminal offence.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Can’t vote FF, they caused the problem.
Can’t vote FG/ Labour, they lost the opportunity for real change.
Can’t vote Sinn Fein, they would do more damage than FF.
Can’t vote for Runination as they haven’t a clue.
Maybe some right thinking and straight talking independents are the way forward.
Well said Jake, we have had enough of parties who are in government for yonks and do nothing.
Independents get elected more often than not in relation to local issues (Healy-Rae been an example). Having 15-20 independents propping up a dail all interested in local issues and protecting their interests and not the national interest is a great idea!! It will never work, having a group of independents keeping a government in check in opposition works a lot better then having them all in government.
You would certainly get a lot more transparency with a group of independents.
I’d rather deal with an honest, independently-minded politician instead of a party follower wedded to the idea of group-think and a slave to the Whips.
And you’d be less likely to see short-term budgets tailored entirely to winning the next election for the party instead of for the greater long-term good of the country.
Transparent independents? How many independents have been with a political party before 2007_20011
Still a better option than Lucinda ‘ I haven’t a f*cking clue what I’m doing’ Creighton
Virtually anything is better than that. That doesn’t mean this is the way forward though.
First thing they need to do is lose that picture. They look like Waldorf and Statler from the Muppets.
Or Randolph and Mortimer from Trading Places.
Sure Hugh O’Connell , we already saw the launch of The Party – That isn’t a Party !
ReNua ,is a week old only and the Party has finished up in a hangover already !
Another new Comedy Act of a Party has gone to the wall , before it ever started .
@Middle if thats all you are worried about, lets ask them to change it
I’ll chance this lot I think…Shane Ross appears to be a tad smarter than what’s on offer
Heavily involved in property speculation and cheerleading during the boom. I don’t know why Ross gets off the hook on that; must be all those theatrics at the pointless PAC.
I’d give them a turn.. even if it was as a coalition partner.. Jesus they can’t do worse than what we’ve had to endure over the past 40 years.
Hey New Party!
Ask yourself one thing…. Can you change the permanent government?
Think about it and come back to us!
With that attitude we wont
Why are they bothering? Hope they have their collective acts together unlike Lucinda and her crew?
Between this $hite and Renua….
Whats your party called?
It’s more of the same, smart@rse. The faces never change. If you think Ross isn’t another pig with his nose in the trough you don’t know much.
Vin I think Jason’s point is, if you are tired of the same old faces then why don’t you enter politics as a new face?
No.
This is a comments page for expression of opinion on the news. I am offering my opinion, not standing for election.
Vin, Shane Ross has said and tried to do stuff many other politicians did not like, he deserves a second look?
@Middle Class Cork – that’s exactly what I meant. Thought it was clear enough. But obviously not if he resorts to name calling.
Right, fair enough. I have no interest in entering politics. My point is that this is same, rehashed route as before. Given Shane Ross’ history I’d be unlikely to vote for him; I don’t trust him, nor do I trust his motives. Could we not have someone else? Preferably someone who isn’t tarnished, which is how I personally see Ross given his role in the speculation that led to the crash.
Renua? Don’t even go there.
The Independents are going to have a big say in the formation of the next government. Regardless of what party comes out on top the independents will most likely be required to form a coalition. This organisation of the independents is a smart move for them as it’ll make it easier for them to be part of the next government
Straight thinking independents? They only care about local issues never consider the bigger picture
And journal commentators will still moan
Just so we’re all clear, the only purpose of this new political vehicle is:
1) To put Shane Ross at the Cabinet table.
2) A way to cheat the gender quotas. A vote for this Alliance is anti-women.
I disagree with gender quotas. I’m all for equality, don’t get me wrong, but quotas do not mean equality. What it will mean is that we’ll have a situation whereby people will be put in positions simply because of their gender. No-one should get a job simply because they happen to be a woman. It should be on the basis of merit and suitability for the position.
Quotas always worked fine for TDs’ sons.
And daughters .
Agree with you vinheffer on the quota thing but we don’t get people elected to positions of power based on merit and ability in ireland. We get them based on what they promised their constituents to get elected in the first place and how well they’ve maneuvered inside their own party and how close they are to the leader in the second. I never voted for Enda and yet Enda is the leader of our country. I never voted for anyone in power outside of Éamonn Gilmore (as did a lot of ppl before I get red thumbed for having supported labour) and where’s he gone now? The system in Ireland is ridiculous. The only person I feel who actually has a right to say they are a true national leader is the president and I don’t just mean Michael D or the Marys, who have done us very proud over the years, but the office itself. The office of Taoiseach ought to be the same. It’s far too important. The system needs reform from top to bottom. Quotas are only tinkering at the edges.
Will this launch drag on for months, like Lucinda, with regular Journal headlines announcing it’s imminent arrival?
Another bag of “lickerass” all sorts..great can’t wait.
Can you come up with any better ideas? At least Mr Ross has an understanding of what’s what, is extremely articulate and his criticism of the government is not purely based on whinging rants but on well thought out arguments.
Power brokers , says it all , more of the same .
Shane Ross talks more sense than anyone in the Dail, so he have my vote…
Is that Shane (I was a staunch supporter of Anglo) Ross?
All Political Parties are just Private Clubs
- who Max your Tax
- like Landlords Max your Rent
- like Banks Max your Debt.
Time for voters to take back power. Independents will do well BUT not for long if they don’t seek citizen consent first for laws passed.
A bit late for Ross and Co to do anything only shout and scream when the camara is on them as usual .I watch question time but I must say I have to switch off when Ross is shouting hot air.
This government has lost its mandate,force a GE by voting no in endas referendums.remember he refused us one on our water.they will not be able to remain in government. if he gets his referenda passed he will claim it is a vote of confidence from the people in his government.
have your say